Geographic information systems (GIS) are an important technology for managing spatial information at local, regional, national, and global levels. Digital map data is used for managing the natural environment, economic planning, emergency response, environmental conservation, public health programs, and a variety of other challenges facing society in the twenty-first century.

For the past decade, a network of national, regional, and international organizations and individuals have discussed a vision of constructing a Global Spatial Data Infrastructure (GSDI) involving the development and open sharing of digital map data. The realization of this vision is to map the entire land area of the globe at a 1-km resolution, with boundaries, drainage systems, transportation networks, population centers, elevation, land cover, land use, and vegetation.

Over the same time period the International Steering Committee for Global Mapping (ISCGM) has been working to develop Global Map, a digital map at 1:1 million scale with eight environmental data layers. At present, 126 nations and agencies are involved in Global Map. A key element has been that participating nations are trained to complete and verify their own contribution to Global Map. The Global Map and GSDI programs are working in close cooperation to support the development of geographic data sharing in the context of GSDI.

More than a year ago, a grant program was announced to provide GIS software and training for participant organizations in honor of Professor Jack Estes, the original chair of ISCGM. To date, 100 countries have become participants. The purpose of this letter is to invite organizations that are not yet participating. The attached documents outline the grant components.

The grant program is a valuable resource for national mapping organizations or spatial data development organizations that are leading the effort to build a national spatial data infrastructure within a country and that are, or wish to become, participants in Global Map. These are important steps toward the achievement of a more sustainable world, which was specifically recognized at the recent Johannesburg, South Africa, summit.

But it is also an important step toward the achievement of a Global Map. Participation is key. If you have not already, please coordinate with your colleagues to make a grant application. You can access more information at http://www.gsdi.org/ or http://www.iscgm.org/.

Please refer to the following documents for specific details of the Global Map/GSDI Grant program.

    * Global Map/GSDI Grant application
    * Global Map Participation Form [PDF-21 KB]

If you have any further questions, please contact the ESRI International Division at 909-793-2853.
Sincerely,